RobotNext

Robot snakes slither forward - CNET News

Nature has become the model for robots.  Of course, this makes great sense because who is better at innovation than life.  Robotics will depend on innovative approaches to develop the machines that will help us at work and at home.  Check it out.

There is no doubt that many scientists are looking to nature for mechanical inspiration. This past spring we have seen robotic bugs , swarms of bugs, fish and perhaps even the promise of a robotic dolphin . The SINTEF ICT part of the SINTEF Group , a ...

Robot snakes slither forward - CNET News
Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:18:00 GMT

 

Technorati Tags: robots,nature

Research to advance robot behavior holds military, diplomatic ... - Boston Herald

So, if we have a robot that eats flies, can a robot that eats other robots be far behind.  It occurs to me that the best defense against a swarm of robots that act like insects is a robot that eats insects.  The article below cites research that is taking place to create robots that work together in a common goal.  Check it out.  

PHILADELPHIA - The next generation of military robots won’t just be humanoids like the Terminator. The robots of the future will likely work in concert, like a swarm of ants. Others may creep like spiders or hover like hummingbirds, if the work at ...

Research to advance robot behavior holds military, diplomatic ... - Boston Herald
Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:26:00 GMT

Technorati Tags: robots,insects,military

The world’s six most useful robots - Telegraph.co.uk

IAS EcoBot Team

For South Texas, the Ecobot would need to be redesigned to eat fire ants or maybe even mosquitos.  Then, I think, everyone would want one for their backyard.  Check this out.

The world’s six most useful robots
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - 12 hours ago
The robot, developed at the University of Bristol, is designed to power itself by eating flies. Feed the EcoBot a dead bluebottle every so often, ...

The world’s six most useful robots - Telegraph.co.uk
Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:40:49 GMT

Technorati Tags: robots,ecology,energy

NURC National Underwater Robotics Challenge

This is a competition that I have wanted to participate in with my high school students.  I think it is quite a challenge to build an underwater robot, but it would be a challenge that would stretch the imagination and creativity of the students to achieve it.  What a worthy goal.  Check it out below.

What does it do? Here is an ROV built for the National Underwater Robotics Challenge. This video clip shows the mission and then shows one of the teams, Carl Hayden High School, Falcon Robotics team's ROV, Amanda going through its ...

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NURC National Underwater Robotics Challenge
By falconmaster @ Sat, 2008-06-21 23:01

NASA tests new Moon equipment on Earth - iTWire

NASA is developing the next generation of lunar robots that will help humans explore our closest neighbor in space.  Check the article referenced below for more.  ATHLETE and robots like it are going to pave the way for lunar bases.  Again, this is more of the human/machine interface that has been a recurring theme for my entries.  These robots are going to be our partners in exploring and living on the moon.  More than that, we will see this kind of partnership develop here on Earth with personal robots in our homes to assist with all sorts of life activities. 

NASA tests new Moon equipment on Earth
iTWire, Australia - 3 hours ago
“ Wilcox is the principal investigator for ATHLETE, short for All-Terrain Hex-Legged Extra-Terrestrial Explorer robot. [NASA: “NASA Tests Lunar Robots and ...

NASA tests new Moon equipment on Earth - iTWire
Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:31:44 GMT

Technorati Tags: robots,robotics,space,exploration

Baddest movie robot: the votes are in! - Techradar.com

So, do you agree with their choices for top villain robot in a starring role or even as a supporting actor/actress.  This poll made me wonder who is the most heroic robot from the world of cinema.  Personally, even though he is an android, I would give Data from Star Trek:  The Next Generation the top ranking.  After all, he does give the ultimate sacrifice in the tenth and so far final ST movie.  So, what do you think?  Give your choice of the best "good" robot from a movie.  Make sure and tell why you think so.  (Sounds like an exam question, but its not meant to.  The teacher in me just can't help it!)

 

The lines are closed, the results are in. No, not on tedious iPhone-related stuff - it's far more important than that. Yes, your resounding verdict on the baddest movie robot was... the Terminator, with a bone-crunching 35% of the vote, even if he ...

Baddest movie robot: the votes are in! - Techradar.com
Sat, 14 Jun 2008 00:31:00 GMT

Spykee - your surveillance robot

Take a look at this robot (or is it a toy?) and let me know what you think.  This continues the theme for today of the human/machine interface, but this time in the field of security.

Spykee, a remote controlled robot perfect for your visual and audio surveillance needs. With its built-in camera and microphone, it is capable of taking real-time pictures and sounds. Utilizing a Wifi card, you can control Spykee virtually anywhere in the world.

Spykee - your surveillance robot
jon
Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:56:38 GMT

Robots for Mars

Technorati Tags: robots

Check out this article listed on the Robotics & Automation blog.  This is the human/machine interface that is already being used by NASA in the International Space Station operations.  More of this type of interaction will be seen in other areas of life as robots are integrated into society.  Some current examples of this are the military, ocean exploration, and medicine.

"NASA scientists plan on prepositioning robots and robotic rovers on the red planet before the first astronauts arrive. That way, the robots will be ready to help their human counterparts on what probably will be NASA's most taxing mission yet."

Robots for Mars
V 2 (noreply@blogger.com)
Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:00:00 GMT

RobotNext: Once and Future Grease Monkeys

"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology heroes."  Dean Kamen

Over milkshakes at Schwab's Drug Store and hamburgers at Jurassic Park, this all got started at Universal Studios Florida.  In a discussion with some of my former students, now mentors of my high school robotics team, The Grease Monkeys, I brought up the idea of starting a blog about robotics.  Having just finished a robotics competition at the University of Central Florida, I was thinking about a way to extend our robotics experience.  We have done competitive robotics for nine years, so we think we know a little about the field.  Only time will tell if you the readers agree.

Since this is my first post, let me tell you what I plan to do here in my little niche of robotics.  RobotNext will explore what is here and now, and what is to come in the world of robots.  My experience in robotics is mostly with FIRST.  FIRST or For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology was founded by Dean Kamen.  The organization is dedicated to furthering youth involvement in robotics and engineering. 

Now at this point in my life, I want to branch out from the focus of competitive robotics and education to a more general audience.  However, I will seek to bring my own "spin" to robotics articles and news to further the theme of competition, education, and the future of robotics in society.  The other members of this team will add their own unique views to this effort.

So, here we go ...